Day 9 ... sort of a scrimmage, with some key guys sitting out ...

SATURDAY .. the report from OSU about today's workout, which included some live plays ... also, check out Cliff K's on-the-scene report on his GT blog, replete with Cliff's portrait-quality photos.

OSU hopes tailback Ryan McCants is the latest thoroughbred in a long line that includes Ken Simonton, Steven Jackson and Yvenson Bernard.

Refine. Refine. Refine. Those were the three words for head coach Mike Riley as he described what's in store next week for the Beaver football team as the first full week of practice ended with a brief scrimmage.

"By the time fall camp ends we will have practiced 1,000 plays; that's the total of what we will run all season," Riley said to the team after the nearly three hour drills. "I don't want anybody being discouraged; it's all about learning."

As for the scrimmage, the team held a 24-play first down situational drill, in addition to some live red zone and goal line situational plays.

During the brief scrimmage, Ryan McCants carried the ball four times for 16 yards and Jacquizz Rodgers carried three times for 12 yards.

Starting quarterback Lyle Moevao completed 2 of 4 passes for 10 yards and current second unit QB Justin Engstrom was 4 of 6 for 44 yards, including 15 and 16-yard connections with receiver Damola Adeniji. Adeniji was the leading receiver with his two catches.

'I thought it was pretty good work today; pretty clean," head coach Mike Riley said. "It was an opportunity for the team to finish plays - finish blocks, finish tackling. Overall, it was decent football today with some highlights."

Highlights/notes from today:

The following players did not practice/scrimmage due to injuries: C Marcus Henderson (ill, possibly step throat victim), OT Wilder McAndrews (injured thumb), DT Pernnell Booth (ankle), OG Jeremy Perry (knee). ... Riley told writers that McAndrews did indeed have a small break in the bone. ... eyewitnesses report that JC Brent McNeil has moved from RT to LT to mix in with starter Andy Levitre and Una Smiley, and with McAndrews taking a step back (he will work out this week wearing a cast) it's Mike Remmers and Timi Oshinowo at RT.

· And yes, if you have been at practice, you know that Oshinowo IS NOT READY.

True freshman Keynan Parker - a HS track star who is one of the fastest players on the team - has been moved to defense as a cornerback.

"He actually brought that up," Riley said. "I always had that in the back of my mind; I thought he might be able to be a three-way player. I think he has a chance to be like Brandon Hughes (came to OSU as a receiver)."

· Keenan Lewis intercepted Moevao in a drill.

Cameron Collins snagged an errant Engstrom pass later in the day.

· Chris Johnson made one of his usual dynamic one-handed snags.

· Hard-hitter Al Afalava missed a tackle on Ryan McCants, who had a banner day, but later made Jacquizz Rodgers pay with a hard stop.

· Cornerback Brandon Hardin - who some teammates consider the fastest player on the defensive side of the ball - made a great play to knock the ball away from a receiver in a goal line situation prompting Riley to say "great play Brandon."

· Tight end Brady Camp made a nice catch between receivers.

OSU returns to the field Monday for double days, beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by the evening session at 6:30 p.m.